Diversity in faith teachings - Accept them all?
How was it in the Early Church?
Dear all,
The Early Christians had a strong concept of 'the Church'. They
regarded the Church as the Body of Christ of which they were members. Continuing
my quest for clarity in thought regarding some fundamental aspects of my faith.
Thanks for bearing with me so far.
**************************************************
Question:
--------
Within the Church that the Lord built giving His blood, is it ok to
follow diverse and contradictory teachings?
Premise:
--------
If we can be part of the Body of Christ and at the same time we also
can cling onto diverse and mutually contradictory doctrines, then there should
be no harm; since participation of life in the Body of Christ (THE CHURCH) is
what is most important. However, if giving ear to diverse doctrines meant
hindrance to fruitful participation in the life of the Church, it must be
strongly discouraged.
Scriptures:
----------
All the believers were one in heart and mind.(Acts 4:32)
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings...
(Hebrews 13:9)
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called
you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is
really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion
and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from
heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be
eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is
preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally
condemned! (Galations 1:6-9)
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so
that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer..
(1 Timothy 1:3)
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there
will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive
heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift
destruction on themselves
(2 Peter 2:1)
My understanding:
-----------------
The Apostles would not have spent so much energy and passion guarding
and protecting the faithful from teachings different from what they taught(false
teachings) if it was possible to live Christ in other ways too. There is
condemnation and hellfire warnings for those who shy away from the teachings of
these Fathers. Just like today we have different denominations each with a
different offering and perspective about various aspects of Christian living,
there were differences in teachings in the Early Church too. But what is
conspicuous by its absence is a tolerance and acceptance of the diverse
teachings. There is no such tolerance, no ecumenical and populistic viewpoint -
only one cohesive set of teachings for the
faithful to follow - those who do anything otherwise is condemned!!!
(Difference of opinions existed between Paul and Barnabas, between Paul and the
other apostles too, but they were resolved by discussions and by divine guidance
- but the strong aversion to alien and contradictory teachings is a
characteristic seen exhibited by the Apostles throughout the New Testament.
**************************************************
Question:
---------
Did the Apostles teach only about Christ?
Premise:
-------
Was only Christ taught, or were there teachings about other aspects
of Christian living? If only Christ was taught, then we should also not spend
much resources teaching and learning other related aspects like our traditions,
communion with the departed, intercessions etc. If on the other hand, the
Apostles did discuss other aspects relevant to Christians of the time based on
their doubts and concerns at the time, then we should also focus on Christ as
well as other aspects that guide us in the life in Christ.
Scriptures:
-----------
Ephesians 5:22 ff - How should wives and Husbands live - St.Paul
dwells into the secret of a successful married life.
1 Corinthians 8:1 "Now about food sacrificed to idols.." St.Paul
begins discussion on food offered to idols.
1 Corinthians 11:6 - St.Paul discusses the value of covering the head
for the woman.
My understanding:
-----------------
There are so many other references. The scriptures are amply clear
that the Apostles dealt with many aspects of Christian life, some of these were
responses to specific questions by the faithful. Not only was Christ and
Christology and the Mysteries surrounding the Lord's incarnation taught, but
several aspects of leading a Christian life was taught. All these formed part of
the traditions, part of the doctrines of the Church. [So also, today the Church
focusses on several other
faith aspects like praying for the departed, intercessions to saints,
sacraments etc which are essential to grow in the life in Christ and to provide
continued grace to the faithful.]
**************************************************
Summary:
-------
In THE CHURCH established by the Lord, there was no tolerance for
diverse and contradictory teachings. Only the teachings of the Church was
adhered too, the rest were condemned. The reason is pretty clear - the Apostles
felt a strong urge to protect the flock from teachings they considered as false,
since they knew these would hinder the life in Christ for the faithful. so
within the Church, it is not ok to follow, encourage or even give ear to
diverse, contradictory teachings which do not have the blessings of the Church.
At best, these diverse 'denominations' can stay together only as a stop gap
arrangement in some situations, there can be (and must be) strong efforts to
unite and bond at certain levels, but it is better to maintain separate
mechanisms to worship and teach faith unless the differences are sorted out
first.
The Apostles not only taught Christ, but also touched on many other
aspects needed for wholesome Christian living.
Next: Where then is THE CHURCH? - The fine balancing act between the
conservative and the liberal.
-----
Regards,
Mathew Samuel,
Albany
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/17757
How was it in the Early Church?
Dear all,
The Early Christians had a strong concept of 'the Church'. They
regarded the Church as the Body of Christ of which they were members. Continuing
my quest for clarity in thought regarding some fundamental aspects of my faith.
Thanks for bearing with me so far.
**************************************************
Question:
--------
Within the Church that the Lord built giving His blood, is it ok to
follow diverse and contradictory teachings?
Premise:
--------
If we can be part of the Body of Christ and at the same time we also
can cling onto diverse and mutually contradictory doctrines, then there should
be no harm; since participation of life in the Body of Christ (THE CHURCH) is
what is most important. However, if giving ear to diverse doctrines meant
hindrance to fruitful participation in the life of the Church, it must be
strongly discouraged.
Scriptures:
----------
All the believers were one in heart and mind.(Acts 4:32)
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings...
(Hebrews 13:9)
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called
you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is
really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion
and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from
heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be
eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is
preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally
condemned! (Galations 1:6-9)
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so
that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer..
(1 Timothy 1:3)
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there
will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive
heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift
destruction on themselves
(2 Peter 2:1)
My understanding:
-----------------
The Apostles would not have spent so much energy and passion guarding
and protecting the faithful from teachings different from what they taught(false
teachings) if it was possible to live Christ in other ways too. There is
condemnation and hellfire warnings for those who shy away from the teachings of
these Fathers. Just like today we have different denominations each with a
different offering and perspective about various aspects of Christian living,
there were differences in teachings in the Early Church too. But what is
conspicuous by its absence is a tolerance and acceptance of the diverse
teachings. There is no such tolerance, no ecumenical and populistic viewpoint -
only one cohesive set of teachings for the
faithful to follow - those who do anything otherwise is condemned!!!
(Difference of opinions existed between Paul and Barnabas, between Paul and the
other apostles too, but they were resolved by discussions and by divine guidance
- but the strong aversion to alien and contradictory teachings is a
characteristic seen exhibited by the Apostles throughout the New Testament.
**************************************************
Question:
---------
Did the Apostles teach only about Christ?
Premise:
-------
Was only Christ taught, or were there teachings about other aspects
of Christian living? If only Christ was taught, then we should also not spend
much resources teaching and learning other related aspects like our traditions,
communion with the departed, intercessions etc. If on the other hand, the
Apostles did discuss other aspects relevant to Christians of the time based on
their doubts and concerns at the time, then we should also focus on Christ as
well as other aspects that guide us in the life in Christ.
Scriptures:
-----------
Ephesians 5:22 ff - How should wives and Husbands live - St.Paul
dwells into the secret of a successful married life.
1 Corinthians 8:1 "Now about food sacrificed to idols.." St.Paul
begins discussion on food offered to idols.
1 Corinthians 11:6 - St.Paul discusses the value of covering the head
for the woman.
My understanding:
-----------------
There are so many other references. The scriptures are amply clear
that the Apostles dealt with many aspects of Christian life, some of these were
responses to specific questions by the faithful. Not only was Christ and
Christology and the Mysteries surrounding the Lord's incarnation taught, but
several aspects of leading a Christian life was taught. All these formed part of
the traditions, part of the doctrines of the Church. [So also, today the Church
focusses on several other
faith aspects like praying for the departed, intercessions to saints,
sacraments etc which are essential to grow in the life in Christ and to provide
continued grace to the faithful.]
**************************************************
Summary:
-------
In THE CHURCH established by the Lord, there was no tolerance for
diverse and contradictory teachings. Only the teachings of the Church was
adhered too, the rest were condemned. The reason is pretty clear - the Apostles
felt a strong urge to protect the flock from teachings they considered as false,
since they knew these would hinder the life in Christ for the faithful. so
within the Church, it is not ok to follow, encourage or even give ear to
diverse, contradictory teachings which do not have the blessings of the Church.
At best, these diverse 'denominations' can stay together only as a stop gap
arrangement in some situations, there can be (and must be) strong efforts to
unite and bond at certain levels, but it is better to maintain separate
mechanisms to worship and teach faith unless the differences are sorted out
first.
The Apostles not only taught Christ, but also touched on many other
aspects needed for wholesome Christian living.
Next: Where then is THE CHURCH? - The fine balancing act between the
conservative and the liberal.
-----
Regards,
Mathew Samuel,
Albany
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/17757
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